Brazilian striker Diego Costa admits he came close to signing for Liverpool but his connections to Atletico Madrid proved too strong.

The 24-year-old was reported to be the subject of a late £22million bid by Brendan Rodgers in the closing stages of this summer's transfer window.

Costa, who started his career with Portuguese side Braga, conceded a move to Anfield was on the cards but ultimately chose to reward the loyalty Atletico have displayed to him.

"I was close to leaving, Liverpool are a great team," he told Mundo Deportivo. "But after fighting so hard and overcoming difficulties to get my place at Atletico, how could I leave?"

Liverpool has since been linked with a January bid for the forward, but Costa remains adamant that he will be staying at the Estadio Vincente Calderon, where he is relishing the UEFA Champions League challenge ahead.

Barcelona youngster Cristian Tello has revealed he rejected advances from Liverpool this summer, instead opting to fight for his place at the Nou Camp.

The highly-rated 22-year-old has progressed through the youth ranks at the Catalan club and despite featuring 29 times under Tito Vilanova last term, remains behind the likes of Ibrahim Afellay, Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez, as well as new signing Neymar, in the Barca pecking order.

And Tello has now revealed Liverpool were keen admirers during the summer transfer window, but he snubbed their advances in order to earn his place at the Nou Camp.

‘I always wanted to stay here,’ he said.

‘The coach has confidence in me, I’m happy and ready to play.

‘I knew that Liverpool was interested in me, but I never thought about leaving.’

Tello starred for Spain’s Under-21 side as they were crowned European champions this summer and has made two substitute appearances for Barcelona so far this season.

Napoli hopes to conclude a loan deal for Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, according to reports in Italy.

Since taking over as Napoli manager Rafael Benitez, has already signed one of his former charges at previous side Liverpool in Pepe Reina.

The Spanish goalkeeper arrived in Naples on a temporary deal this summer, but Benitez may be lining up another raid on Anfield with a move for Skrtel.

Liverpool signed three centre-backs over the transfer window, suggesting Skrtel does not figure in manager Brendan Rodgers' plans.

Mamadou Sakho, Tiago Ilori and Kolo Toure all arrived on Merseyside, where a partnership of Sakho and Daniel Agger is believed to be the most likely first-choice defensive pairing for the rest of the season.

The Slovakia international defender is expected to be open to a departure from Liverpool, where he has become something of a peripheral figure.

Napoli meanwhile, is understood to be on the lookout for loan recruits with which to improve their backline. Reports in Italy suggest Skrtel remains the number one priority, but Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya is also being targeted.

The Serie A side has made a positive start to this year's league campaign under Benitez, wining two matches from two games.

Liverpool legend Ian Rush would like to see Luis Suarez start on the bench once he serves his suspension - because it would mean the Reds were playing well.

Rush hopes Liverpool continue their excellent start to the season that has seen them record three 1-0 wins from three Premier League matches, leaving them top of the table.

Suarez has two matches remaining of his ten-game ban received for his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last term.

And Rush revealed he'd love to see Daniel Sturridge continue in the sole striker spot under Brendan Rodgers once Suarez returns to the first-team.

"For me, in an ideal world after six games of the season when Suarez is back, I'd love to see him left out because that would mean the team is winning and he has to fight for his place," Rush told talkSPORT.

"There's no doubt Suarez will get back in, but what a sight that would be for the opposition if Liverpool are not playing well and they see Suarez coming on.

"We're looking forward to that."

Sturridge has scored all three of Liverpool's Premier League goals so far this season, but the Reds striker has been struck down recently with a thigh injury.

He missed England's recent World Cup qualifying match against Moldova and will miss the game against Ukraine.

The earliest Suarez can return to the Liverpool squad is for the trip to Sunderland on September 29. Before that, the Reds face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium and Southampton at Anfield.